Center Jon Halapio
August 26, 2018
Q: When did you hear about the Brett Jones trade?
A: In the middle of practice, we heard.
Q: What’s your reaction, you guys were very close?
A: I’m happy for him, it sucks to see my friend go. That’s the tough part about this business, you build relationships like this, but you know that sometimes it doesn’t go that way for us to be together forever, it’s not a marriage. I’m happy for him, it’s closer to home for him and he gets an opportunity to go out there and play and display his talents and what he brings to the game, he’s a good player.
Q: What does it mean to you with all the routes that have you have taken in your career, it now looks like you will be the starting center on opening day?
A: It still doesn’t cross my mind. I’m still competing like I’m not the starter. I’m just going to keep approaching it that way until Week 1 and focus on trying to get everyone on the same page and get this running game going. Just try to improve one day at a time.
Q: Have you had a chance to talk to Brett?
A: No, hopefully I can after this.
Q: Have you ever seen anything like that, where a guy gets pulled off the practice field?
A: Yeah, my rookie year when I was with the Patriots, they traded Logan Mankins.
Q: What do you think the number one reason is that the coaches have confidence in you for this job?
A: I would like to think that I am improving every day. I would like to think that I’m ascending as a player. Ultimately, that’s a better question for coach Shurmur. I’m just trying to control what I can control and that’s trying to be on the same page as the other four offensive linemen.
Q: How much credit do you give to Brett for helping you learn the position?
A: I give a lot of credit to him. Like I said before, when I first started playing center, he has helped me through snapping, helped me understand the game. Hats off to Brett and I always thank him. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be in this position.
Q: Are you surprised at where you are? This time last year, did imagine yourself being the starting center?
A: I’m surprised I’m a center, but I’m not surprised I’m still playing here. Ultimately, that’s what I kept working for, I knew eventually my time will come. I just had to keep training and keep working for it, so I’m not surprised I’m still playing but I am surprised I’m playing center.
Q: To have veterans like Greco and Jerry on the second team offensive line, what does that do you for you guys as far as depth and having a known commodity?
A: Those guys are veteran players, they have a lot of game starts under their belts. It feels good that we have veteran leadership and depth in our room.
Q: How does it feel to now know you are the guy?
A: I’m just excited to keep playing, with the road I have taken to get here. In that aspect of me, just continuing playing, that’s what I’m happy for, that I’m still able to play. I feel like it won’t hit me until Week 1. We are still in training camp trying to compete, trying to get better. We are not a finished product, there is nothing to be proud of. We didn’t win a Super Bowl or anything like that.
